Obama pardons a turkey

November 21, 2012 7:54 PM

Photo: WILLIAM J. SMITH/ASSOCIATED PRESS

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US President Barack Obama gestures during the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon with his daughters Sasha (2nd R) and Malia (R) on November 21 , 2012 at the White House in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama gestures during the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon with his daughters Sasha (2nd R) and Malia (R) on November 21 , 2012 at the White House in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama gestures during the annual Thanksgiving... Photo-3776235.52797 - SFGate

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Sasha Obama pets Cobbler a 19-week old, 40-pound turkey, as he is pardoned by President Barack Obama on the occasion of Thanksgiving, 21, 2012, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo) (Jacquelyn Martin / AP Photo) less

Sasha Obama pets Cobbler a 19-week old, 40-pound turkey, as he is pardoned by President Barack Obama on the occasion of Thanksgiving, 21, 2012, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. (Jacquelyn ... more

President Barack Obama, accompanied by daughters Sasha and Malia, laughs at a loud gobble from the turkey, as he pardons Cobbler a 19-week old, 40-pound turkey, on the occasion of Thanksgiving, Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. At left is National Turkey Federation Chairman Steven Willardsen. (Jacquelyn Martin / AP Photo) less

President Barack Obama, accompanied by daughters Sasha and Malia, laughs at a loud gobble from the turkey, as he pardons Cobbler a 19-week old, 40-pound turkey, on the occasion of Thanksgiving, Wednesday, Nov. ... more

President Barack Obama, with daughters Sasha, center, and Malia, right, carries on the Thanksgiving tradition of saving a turkey from the dinner table with a "presidential pardon," at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012. After the ceremony, "Cobbler" will head to George Washington's historic home in Virginia to be part of the "Christmas at Mount Vernon" exhibition. National Turkey Federation Chairman Steve Willardsen is at left. (J. Scott Applewhite / AP Photo) less

President Barack Obama, with daughters Sasha, center, and Malia, right, carries on the Thanksgiving tradition of saving a turkey from the dinner table with a "presidential pardon," at the White House ... more

U.S. President Barack Obama (2nd L) pardons the 2012 National Thanksgiving Turkey Cobbler as daughters Sasha Obama (3rd L) and Malia Obama (R), and National Turkey Federation Chairman Steve Willardsen (L) look on during a Rose Garden event November 21, 2012 at the White House in Washington, DC. Cobbler and its companion Gobbler will spend the rest of their lives at George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens in Virginia. less

Vice President Richard Nixon "shakes hands" with a 40-pound white turkey, November 14, 1955, at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. The big bird, a gift from the turkey raisers, is destined for President Eisenhower's Thanksgiving dinner at his Gettysburg, Pa. farm. In the background, left to right, are: Leslie Hubbard of Lancaster, Pa.; Chester Housh of Elkton, Va., who raised the turkey; and Vic Pringle of Broadway, Va. (William J. Smith / AP Photo) less

Vice President Richard Nixon "shakes hands" with a 40-pound white turkey, November 14, 1955, at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. The big bird, a gift from the turkey raisers, is destined for President ... more

President Ronald Reagan seems started as John Hendrick, President of the National Turkey Federation, presents him with the annual live ?Thanksgiving Turkey? Friday, Nov. 16, 1984 in Washington at the White House. The live bird was not in the mood to stand still for the photographers who were present for the event. (Scott Stewart / AP Photo) less

President Ronald Reagan seems started as John Hendrick, President of the National Turkey Federation, presents him with the annual live ?Thanksgiving Turkey? Friday, Nov. 16, 1984 in Washington at the White ... more

Photo: Scott Stewart, ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Ronald Reagan seems started as John Hendrick, President... Photo-3776248.52797 - SFGate

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U.S. President Bill Clinton gestures toward a turkey presented to him at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 24, 1993 by the National Turkey Federation as the Federations President Stuart Proctor looks on. The 30-week-old, 50-pound turkey was raised in New Oxford, Pa. and will retire to Kidwell Farms in Herndon, Va. (Doug Mills / AP Photo) less

U.S. President Bill Clinton gestures toward a turkey presented to him at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 24, 1993 by the National Turkey Federation as the Federations President Stuart Proctor ... more

President Bush, right, pets 'Flyer' after pardoning the National Thanksgiving turkey during a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006, in Washington. Holding the turkey is Lynn Nutt, left, from Springfield, Mo. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP Photo) less

President Bush, right, pets 'Flyer' after pardoning the National Thanksgiving turkey during a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006, in Washington. Holding the turkey is Lynn ... more